First spending bill to clear the U.S. House? A measure led by Congressman Charlie Dent.

— The U.S. House has approved a bill crafted by Rep. Charlie Dent's spending panel to pay for military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the coming year.

The $77 billion proposal was the first of the House's 12 annual spending bills to come up for a vote on the House floor. It cleared the chamber 255-163 Thursday.

Dent, a Republican representing Lehigh County and parts of Northampton County, led the bill through the drafting process in his new role chairing the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

He said the $77 billion measure "demonstrates our firm commitment to fully supporting the nation's veterans and service members."

It boosts funding by $4.6 billion over the current year and attempts to address some of the management issues that have plagued the VA, including a backlog in processing benefit claims.

The White House and congressional Democrats criticized the measure for not providing the full amount requested by the agency.

The measure typically is the least controversial of the dozen spending bills that move through each chamber. Last year, the bill providing money for veterans programs and constructing military housing and bases passed with near-unanimous support.

This year, most House Democrats were in the opposition. Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright, who represents Easton and parts of Northampton County, was one of only 19 Democrats who joined with the majority Republicans in approving the bill.